Bayelsa schools to reopen October 8

Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, has directed the full reopening of schools in the state for the commencement of the third term academic session from October 5, 2020.

The decision was the outcome of a meeting of the committee on safe re-opening of schools held at the government house in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, on Monday.

According to the governor, primary and secondary schools, as well as tertiary institutions in the state — private and public — are expected to resume full academic activities from October.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ayibaina Duba, commissioner for information, orientation and strategy, said the government decided on the reopening in order to help schools cover for the time lost as a result of the COVID-19 lockdown.

“The third term and session would terminate on December 18, 2020, and a new academic session would commence in January 2021,” he said.

“Government has also directed the committee to close down private schools operating below government approved standards. This directive is strictly to protect students from learning under unhygienic environment, where they might be exposed to COVID-19 and other infections.

“What we have done is to ensure that the lost time is regained. Therefore, the government of Bayelsa state, under the leadership of senator Douye Diri, has decided with all the critical stakeholders that all schools, both public and private and all tertiary institutions, should resume for classes from the 5th of October, 2020.

“It has also come to the notice of government that many private schools are not up to standard and the governor directed the ministry of education to shut down such schools.”

In his remarks, Gentle Emelah, commissioner for education, said no coronavirus infection was recorded among pupils and students in terminal classes who had resumed in August.

He added that the ministry had engaged the association of private schools in the state on the consequences of violating the COVID-19 safety protocol.

Pabara Igwele, commissioner for health, also said it was safe to admit pupils and students back to classes with strict adherence to the safety measures.

Meanwhile, as of September 27, 2020, out of 398 cases confirmed in Bayelsa, 371 recoveries and 21 deaths have been recorded in the state.